Apparatus for exhausting wells



Jul 30, 1929'.

c. AJANDERSON APPARATUS FOR EXHAUSTING WELLS Filed Nov. 25, '1925INVENTOR. c/m/ems a fiNDE/ESON Patented July so, 1929.

OFEFME- I APPARATUS-roe nxnriusrnvs WELLS.

Application filed November 25, 1925. Serial No. 71,290.

This invention relates to apparatuses for lifting fluids from deep wellsby air pressure.

vention to generally improve and simplify apparatuses of the characterreferred to whereby to provide a simple and inexpensive apparatus forexhausting liquid from deep wells by the use of air under pressure,which apparatus will operate to automatically'discharge a predeterminedquantity of air under pressure into the well at intervals to lift theliquid therein.

In carrying out this object I provide an air induction pipe whichextends downwardly into the well. The lower end of this pipe is fittedwith a discharge nozzle. The upper end of the induction pipe isconnected with an air reservoir to which air under pressure may bedelivered from an air compressor.

An automatic control valve controls the discharge of air from the tankto the induction )1 3e. z td mit air from the air tank to the inductionpipe when the air pressure in the tank reaches the maximum workingpressure. The valve automatically closes to interrupt the communicationbetween the tank and the induc tion pipe when the pressure in the tankdrops below the minimum working pressure whlch is considerably less thanthe maximum work' ing pressure.

One form which the invention may assume is exemplified in the followingdescription and illustrated by way of example in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

F ig. 1 is a view of the apparatus with parts in section to 'more fullydisclose the construction thereof.

valve showing the manner in which it is operated.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings, 10 indicates awell having a casing 11. The top of this casing is fitted with an elbow12 which connects with an eduction pipe 14. V Extending downwardlythrough the elbow 12 is an air induction pipe 15, the lower end of whichextends considerably below the fluid level in the-casing.

The lower end of the air induction pipe 15 is fitted with an airdischarge nozzle 16 which is in the shape of an inverted cone. Thisnozzle is formed with a plurality of upwardly projecting discharge ports17 arranged in This valve operates automatically to Fig. 2 is anenlargedviewpf the main spaced relation around the upper face of thenozzle and ex'teriorly of the pipe 15 with the interior of which theycommunicate. It is the principal object of the present in- 1 It ismanifest from the foregoing that air under pressure delivered to thepipe 15 will discharge upwardly through the ports'17 below the fluidlevel in the well. This air by natural expansion and pressure will liftthe fluid in the casing and discharge it through the eduction pipe 14-.

In the present instance I have provided means for intermittentlydischarging air under pressure within the well through the pipe 15. Thispermits the well to fill up after each operation and also renders theuse of large capacity air pumps and accompanying. equipment unnecessary.

To accomplish this I provide a storage tank 18 to which air' underpressure may be delivered by a small air compressor of an standarddesign (diagrammatically illus trated in the drawing). The pipe linebetween the compressor and tank 18 is fitted with a safety valve 19which is adapted to open after a predetermined pressure has been builtup in the tank. For example, itwill be assumed that the 'maximumworkingpressure is 250pounds and that the safety valve will-open at 260 poundsto prevent any excessive pressure to be built up in the tank.

7 this valve is opened air under pressure will pass through the valveand into a pipe 24 which communicates with the operating cylinder 25 ofa main cut-offrvalve 26. This operating cylinder 25 is fitted with aspring pressed plunger 27 which will rise when a predetermined pressureis built up in the pipe24.

The pressure required to elevate the plunger- 27 being the. minimumworking pressure wvhich in the present instance is 100 pounds.

That is, the plunger 27 will remain elevated as long as a pressure of100 pounds is exerted l3l161801L' The plunger 27 is connected by a link28 to the operating arm 29 of the main cut-off valve 26 which controlsthe passage of air through the discharge pipe 21 which connects the tank18 with the eductionpip'e 14.

warren STATES ears This connection is such that when the plunger 27rises the valve 26 will open and when the plunger lowers the valve 26will close.-

The cylinder 25 also connects with the induction pipe 15. A check valve31 is interposed between the pipe and the cylinder so that pressurepassing into the cylinder 25 through the pipe 24: will not pass into thepipe 14. However, when the main valve 26 is opened the pressure in thepipe 14 will open and place the' cylinder 25 into COITID'IUDL- cationwith the pipe 15.

Therefore, as long as the pressure in the pipe 15 is above 100 poundsthe plunger 27 will remain raised and maintain the main valve 26 openbut when the pressure in the pipe 15 goes below 100 pounds the plunger27 will lower and close the valve 26 to interrupt the communicationbetween the tank .18 and the pipe 15.

Due to the provision of the control valve 22, the main valve 26 will notbe opened unt l the pressure in the tank reaches the maximum workingpressure which is 250 pounds. However, when the valve 26 is once openedit will not be closed until the pressure in the tank drops below theminimum working pressure of 100 pounds which is required to maintain theplunger 27 elevated in the cylinder 25.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The air compressor isoperated to deliver compressed air to the tank'18, it being assumed thatthe valves 22 and 26 are closed. The air compressor will continue todeliver air to the tank 18 until the pressure therein reaches themaximum of working pressure of 250 pounds. At this point the valve 22will open and admit air through the pipe air under pres- 27 and throughand the arm 29 24: to the cylinder 25. This sure will raise the plungerthe medium of the link 28 will open the main valve 26.

The air under pressure in the tank 18 will then discharge through thedischarge pipes 20 and 21 to the induction pipe 15. The air willdischarge through the ports 17 in the nozzle 16 at the lower end of thepipe 15 and through natural expansion and pressure will elevate theliquid in the well and discharge it through the eduction pipe 14.

As soon as the pressure in the tank 18 becomes below the maximum workingpressure of 250 pounds, the valve 22 will close. This, however, willnot. effect the plunger 27 as communication will be established from theinduction pipe 15 through the check valve 31 to the cylinder 25 and actagainst the plunger 27. As this plunger will remain elevated as long asa pressure of 100 pounds is exerted thereagainst the main valve 26 willbe maintained open until the pressure in the tank 7 drops below theminimum working pressure of 100 pounds.

lVhen this low pressure has been reached communication vate all theliquid in the well above the the maximum working pressure,

the plunger 27 will lower and close the valve 26, thereby entirelydisconnecting the air described until the pressure in the tank dropsbelow the minimum working pressure. The

pipe 15 will then again be automatically inter ruptedas described. 7

It is intended that the quantity of air discharged at each operation besufiicient to elenozzle 16 at the lower end ofthe pipe 15. Therefore,during the interruption in the operation of the apparatuses the wellwill have opportunity to fill up again to the normal level therein.

By constructing the apparatus according to my invention a veryinexpensive device can be built to raise liquid from considerabledepths. Also the device will be comparatively inexpensive to constructdue to the fact that a very simple air'compressing apparatus may beemployed.

The present apparatus is capable of use in connection with deep oilwells and also may be used for elevating water from deep wells in dryarid lands. It would be particularly applicable for use in desertcountries where water must be lifted from great depths. In the latteruse a windmill may be provided for operating the air compressor. Thiswould provide very economical means for elevating water from wells.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention, it is to beunderstood that various changes may be made in its construction withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, what T claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent 1s: 4

1. An apparatus for lifting liquid from deep wells eomprisingan eductionpipe extending downwardly into said well below the fluid level therein,an air induction pipe extending downwardly within said eduction pipe toa'point below .the liquid level in the well, an air tank ,operativelyconnected to said induction pipe, a valve controlling the passage ofairfrom the tank to said induction pipe, an air compressor adapted tocon stantly operate to build up pressure in said tank to. a maximumworkin pressure, means whereby said valve will be automatically openedwhen the pressure in said tank reaches and means for automaticallyclosing said valve when the pressure in said tank drops below a minimumbetween the tank 18 and the 7 working pressure which is considerablyless than the maximum working pressure.

2. An apparatus for elevating liquids from deep wells comprising aneduction pipe extending downwardly into said well below the leveltherein, an air induction pipe extending downwardly through the eductionpipe to a point below the liquid level, a discharge nozzle at the lowerend of said induction pipe, said nozzle having upwardly directeddischarge ports arranged in a. circle exteriorly of the induction pipe,an air storage tank, a connection between the storage tank and theinduction pipe, a main valve controlling said connection, meansconstantly delivering air under pressure to said tank and adapted tobuild the pressure therein up to a maximum working pressure, operatingmeans controlling said main valve, means whereby said operating meanswill be automatically actuated to open said main valve when the pressurein said tank reaches the maximum working pressure, said operating meansbeing adapted to automatically close said valve when the pressure insaid tank drops below a minimum working pressure which is considerablyless than the maximum working pressure.

3. An apparatus for lifting liquid from deep wells comprising aneduction pipe extending downwardly into the well below the liquid leveltherein, an air induction pipe extending downwardly Within the eductionpipe to a point below the liquid level in the i well, a discharge nozzleat the lower end of said air induction pipe, a tank adapted to containair under pressure, an air compres sor adapted to constantly operate tobuild up air pressure in said tank, a connection between said tank andsaid air induction pipe, a main valve controlling said connection, an

operating cylinder, a plunger in said cylinin a direction to open themain valve, a valve controlling said connection and adapted toautomatically open when the pressure in said tank reaches the maximumworking pressure, the opening of said valve admitting pressure from thetank to the cylinder to actuate the plunger to open the main valve, saidplunger being adapted to maintain the valve open until the pressure inthe tank drops below the minimum working pressure considerably less thanthe maximum working pressure, and a spring actuating the plunger toclose the main valve when the pressure in the tank drops below theminimum working pressure.

CHARLES A. ANDERSON.

